Ear and face piercing aftercare Key Advice Hand washing Note: Cartilage piercings occasionally form Hand washing is the single most important lumps commonly known as granulomas. The aftercare of body piercing method of reducing infection. Hands must This is just trapped fluid and can easily be is important to promote good be washed prior to touching the affected resolved using the heat and pressure from a healing and prevent the risk of area, therefore reducing the risk of infection. warm water compress once a day, replacing one of your daily cleanings. infection. Wash your hands in warm water and liquid soap, always dry your hands thoroughly Expect some swelling and soreness from Healing times for piercing will with a clean towel or paper towel. This your new piercing. Any knock or bang can vary with the type and position should remove most germs and prevent cause swelling or soreness to flare up again throughout the healing phase. of the piercing and vary from them being transferred to the affected area. person to person. A new piercing can be tender, itchy and Do not use cotton wool to clean the slightly red and can remain so for a piercing as the fibres in the cotton wool For the first few weeks it is few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may may get caught in the piercing. normal for the area to be red, sometimes discharge from the piercing and Do not pick at any discharge and do form a crust. This should not be confused tender and swollen. not move, twist or turn the piercing with pus, which would indicate infection. whilst dry. If any secreted discharge has Approximate healing times for the hardened then turning jewellery may Ear piercing aftercare cause the discharge to tear the piercing, various piercings are: Including Lobes/ Tragus/ Anti Tragus/ allowing bacteria to enter the wound and Conch/ Helix/ Snug/ Diath/ Industrial/ Rook/ prolonging the healing time. Ear lobe piercing – 6 to 8 weeks Translobal/ Transverse Lobe. Ear cartilage piercing – 6 to 8 weeks Do not use sunbeds for the first two Facial piercing aftercare weeks, or if you decide to then cover the Cheek piercing – 2 to 3 months Including Eyebrow, Bridge, Jestum, Vertical wound area with a breathable plaster Eyebrow piercing – 2 to 4 months Labret, Septum/ Nostril. during tanning. Nose piercing – up to 6 months Do not swim for the first 24 hours Soak the piercing for a few minutes by following a piercing. Remember these times are submerging the area of skin containing the piercing in a clean jug or bowl containing Signs of infection approximate and will depend on a warm water solution (1/4 level teaspoon If appropriate aftercare is not followed how healthy you are and whether of preferably sea salt to an egg cup/shot infection may occur. The signs of you look after the piercing glass of warm water). Alternatively wet a infection are: properly until healed. clean cloth or gauze in the solution and • Swelling and redness that increases apply as a warm compress. This will soften around the wound. As with all body art, infection is any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points of the piercing with • A severe burning and throbbing a risk. To reduce these risks take a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge sensation round the site. advice from your practitioner is removed or softened then jewellery can • Increased tenderness and increasingly regarding aftercare. be gently moved so as to work a little warm painful to touch. water through the piercing. When cleaning • An unusual discharge (yellow or green) The risk of infection can be always tighten the ball on any bars by with an offensive smell. screwing the ball to the right. greatly reduced by good general Speak to your practitioner or seek medical hygiene including: Do this twice each day, preferably after attention immediately if you suffer from washing or bathing. any of the above or have any concerns • Hand washing before touching regarding infection in your piercing or if the piercing. You can also use mild antibacterial solutions there are any signs of an allergic reaction and soaps to wash the wound site of an ear to any of the products used. • Keeping the piercing clean. piercing. Ask your local pharmacist to advise you and always follow the manufacturers’ For further advice or information: instructions. If irritation, redness or drying Contact your local Environmental Health occurs discontinue use. Antibacterial wash is Department, or your local Public Health NOT suitable for nostrils, septum or vertical England Health Protection Team lips due to the tissue’s delicate nature. This Information is provided by: Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh disposable Public Health England North West paper towel/kitchen roll. A communal Public Health England East Midlands hand/bath towel should never be used. Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union

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June 2013